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Mental health service expand at Gundersen St. Joseph's

Behavioral health options are expanding for Gundersen St. Joseph's Hospital and Clinics patients and their families, now that Christine Dean, MSW, is offering a wide range of mental health services.

Dean has worked at Gundersen St. Joseph's for more than eight years and in fact was the director of Social Work before obtaining her advanced degree in psychotherapy. This opened up a wonderful opportunity for her and for the people who receive their care at St. Joseph's.

Her training and licensing allows St. Joseph's to provide important mental health therapy services to people of all ages, including Medicare patients.

"I also enjoy working with clients in a rural setting," says Dean. "Often there aren't behavioral health services close to home in rural Wisconsin and people must drive their loved ones long distances to get the help they need. I am hoping to help bridge the gap of providing rural mental health services close to home."

"I particularly like working with children and adolescents," says Dean. "I have a teaching background and an early childhood degree so I naturally gravitate to working with children/adolescents. During sessions we can do good work by using talk, interactive play, and age-appropriate skill building activities. I think it's important to keep the session relevant to how children and adolescents learn best, especially when dealing with trauma and difficult situations."

Dean has also made time to volunteer these last 10 years as an EMT. "I like being able to provide emergency medical attention and also to help calm our patients and let them know that we are going to help them through their situation," she says.

To schedule with Dean at Gundersen St. Joseph's Hospital and Clinics Hillsboro, call (608) 489-8243.